A cool evening, filled with fellowship and love, in the shadow of the Schoenstatt Shrine in Ciudad Celeste, Samborondón, Ecuador—where heaven touches earth. That’s how it was on August 31.
Nearly 300 people gathered for a special encounter with Juan Manuel Cotelo, a Spanish Catholic director, screenwriter, producer, and broadcaster. He participated in a live episode of the podcast “Qué Bien Se Está Aquí” (It’s So Nice Here!), created by María Alexandra Valarezo and María Paula Ferretti, both Schoenstatters—learn more about this podcast—.
Films Screened in More Than 40 Countries
Tonight’s guest, director Juan Manuel Cotelo, began his career in television in 1987 and has since worked on various film and television projects. His work includes documentaries and fiction films that explore the spiritual dimension, the lived experience of faith, and human relationships.
Among his works, we can highlight the films “Mary’s Land” (2013), released in more than 25 countries, and “The Greatest Gift” (2018), which drew audiences in more than 28 countries.
His most recent production is the documentary “Leonas” (2026), which highlights the work of a network of “moms in action”—the “lionesses” who accompany children without families in hospitals throughout Spain.
A Special Conversation in Front of the Shrine
Through their podcast, Ma. Alexandra and Ma. Paula aim to share, in each episode, conversations that help listeners discover God’s presence in everyday life, delving into topics such as faith, family, love, and service.
Tonight’s gathering, titled “The Family, Cradle of Love,” was a conversation lasting about 50 minutes, during which Juan Manuel shared part of his story and anecdotes from his journey of putting his talents at the service of evangelization.
They also discussed the family as the first school of love, the people who teach us to love, and the beautiful reality that love transforms both the giver and the receiver.
“Leonas”: An Invitation to Contemplate the Suffering of Others
The conversation naturally led to “Leonas”, Cotelo’s new film. Drawing on the story of mothers and women who accompany hospitalized children who are alone, the discussion raised questions about service, companionship, and our ability to become a family for those in need.
More than a discussion about a movie, it was an invitation to ask ourselves: What do we do in the face of another’s pain? Do we stand by and watch, or do we choose to be there for them?
Many visited the Shrine for the first time
At the end, we shared food and drinks with attendees, creating a simple, family-like atmosphere. There were conversations, encounters, and many photos with Juan Manuel, on a night that also allowed many people to discover our Shrine and community for the first time.
A night to remember, reminding us that family is the cradle where we learn to love, so that we may later go out into the world and become a home for others as well.
The full episode, in Spanish, will be available on YouTube and Spotify starting September 15:
